Category: Italy

A Day In Florence Between Food And Art

Ponte Vecchio in Florence, ItalyLet’s start with wine bars and cafes! In Italy bars are literally on every corner. Do not confuse them with the classic American bars. Italian bars ( or caffè) serve café, cappuccinos, hot chocolates, tea, light snacks and aperitifs. We recommend in particular 2 historic places.

The Gilli which is a wine bar and restaurant and since 1733 it has been serving also all kinds of treats and light meals.. (Piazza della Repubblica,ph: +39 055 213 896). And just in front the Giubbe Rosse Cafè where you can have brunch from 9€ or a complete menu from 18€ ( Piazza della Repubblica 13/14; ph: +39 055 212 280).

Tip: a coffee is way too cheaper (up to 1€) at the counter that at your sit at the table. In this way you can enjoy a good coffee-break in fantastic places without spending a fortune!

Once stuffed with an excellent Italian Breakfast with cappuccino and brioche you are ready to visit the Uffizi Museum, probably the reason why you got your flight ticket to Florence!Florence Santa Maria del Fiore

Palazzo Vecchio (Uffizi) is an amazing palace set just around Piazza della Signoria, once the centre of political power and city life. Just behind there is the spectacular Ponte Vecchio housing numerous antique and modern jewellery shops and the Signoria open arched gallery

In the Uffizi Gallery you can enjoy Italian masterpieces from Medieval period to Modern. Just to give you some masters’ names: you will be meeting Leonardo, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Caravaggio.

There are also periodic modern art exhibitions Check the official website to get all info and the ticket reservations to avoid extenuate queues. The main entrance is under the portico of the Palazzo degli Uffizi 6 and it is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8.15am until 6.35pm (last entry 6pm). Admission: €9.50 (plus €3 to online reservations); concessions available. (uffizi.firenze.it). One of the best ways to reach the city centre is to get the n. 23 bus or line B.

Florence Via de TornabuoniTo get an affordable accommodation while in Florence you can check the following nice Bed and Breakfast ( B&B) providing clean accommodations and friendly atmosphere. The Abatjour B&B close to the train station, Soggiorno Primavera, the central B&B Cinque Sensi, Althea rooms B&B, Cimarosa Armony BB, a Casa di Dante BB; Bed and Breakfast tourist house, Bed and breakfast Montebello B&B. Usually a double room costs around 50-70 euros per night.

If you prefer a guest house or a budget hotel you can try this selection where the prices are very good for the quality and the services they offer. Hotel Castri which is set in a Renascent villa with a green park, hotel Palazzuolo, hotel Guelfa, il Ghiro guest house. There are also studios and apartments or upper scale hotels where you start form 50 euros per person per night at the Gemini Studio, Alex house, Leopolda hotel, hotel Autopark, hotel Erina, Alamanni Hotel, Hotel Beatrice, Goldoni hotel. This prices are for a night stay and they are subject to changings but in general they include breakfast, linen and towels.

 

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Camping in Rural Italy

With so many quality campsites positioned along the coast of Italy for holidaymakers to be close to the sea, it is easy to forget that there are also good campsites to try inland in rural Italy. Camping in the countryside among the trees and fresh air is at the heart of the camping experience. Take a look at three of Italy’s campsites that put you close to the sights of the cities while helping you to enjoy the delights of the countryside.

With so many quality campsites positioned along the coast of Italy for holidaymakers to be close to the sea, it is easy to forget that there are also good campsites to try inland in rural Italy. Camping in the countryside among the trees and fresh air is at the heart of the camping experience. Take a look at three of Italy’s campsites that put you close to the sights of the cities while helping you to enjoy the delights of the countryside.

FlorenceFlorence Camping

One good place to spend your Italy camping holiday is Camping Norcenni Girasole Club near to Florence. A scenic region known for its art, Tuscany is situated towards the north of Italy. Camping here puts you close to the vineyards that produce the world famous Chianti wine, so you can also enjoy wine tasting excursions during your stay. The campsite is located on the slopes of the green Arno Valley, cut by the Arno River which flows through the city of Florence.

Florence is a vibrant city, packed with art and stunning architecture. The churches and cathedrals are striking in their decoration, design and size, because of the competitive nature of their architects and patrons, who each aimed to surpass the splendour of other buildings in the city.

Camping Norcenni Girasole Club is just thirty minutes from the city of Florence and is easily reached by train from the station at Figline Valdarno. Like the best of Italy’s campsites, there is a modern water park on site. It is a stylish lagoon pool, with small islands, peppered in the central pool. The complex has fun water slides and you can drift along the ‘lazy river’ channel.

Colosseo_di_RomaRome: The Eternal City

Rome is an enthralling, labyrinthine city densely packed with interesting and romantic sights. It is a wonderful place to explore on foot, but there is so much to see that it will be tiring if you don’t make use of the buses, trams and metro transport. This is the home of the Roman Empire, with famous sites such as the Trevi Fountains, the Colosseum and the Spanish Steps to visit on your Italy camping holiday. And don’t forget the breathtaking Vatican City.

As well as being 45 minutes away from the capital of Italy, the Camping i Pini, Rome campsite is also close to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli.

With barbecues provided, and a choice of activities including boules and volleyball available, there is plenty of opportunity to spend time in the fresh air.

Lago MaggioreLake Maggiore

For camping in Italy’s rural Northern Lakes region, there are a number of sites to choose from along the banks of Lake Garda, but further north on the Swiss border is the Isolino Camping Village, set on the banks of beautiful Lake Maggiore. This is a tree lined campsite with great views of the surrounding mountains and the lake, where you can play beach volleyball or take a pedalo out on the water. The Borromean Islands are occupied islands in Lake Maggiore visit via the town of Stresa, or enjoy the delights of the gardens of the Palazzo Borromeo – just one of the beautiful places you can visit from the quality campsites in Italy.

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Luxury Milan – Top Five Luxury Experiences in Milan

Luxury-MilanLombardy, the home of Milan, accounts for almost one quarter of the economy of Italy. With the huge economic success of the area, and of Milan in particular, it has become a perfect place for luxury holidays and short breaks. I’ve been driving the Milan shuttles for a fair few years now, and thought I’d explain why we have the best of everything here in Milan; if you can afford it, Milan can offer some of the most luxurious experiences in the world. I’m going give you a rundown of the top five experiences Milan can offer so you can see what I mean…

Restaurant: Cracco Peck

Voted one of the world’s top 100 restaurants, Cracco Peck offers sumptuous food and drink at the table of Carlo Cracco, know to many as the last word in Italian cuisine. The restaurant was recently redesigned by top designers Gian Maria and Roberto Beretta, and is even more elegant and inviting than before. Cracco Peck is, without doubt, the best place for luxury cuisine in Milan (and arguably in all of Italy)!

Hotel: The Hotel Principe di Savoia

The Hotel Principe di Savoia has been a centre for foreign travellers since the early 1920’s, and has everything you could possibly want from a five star luxury experience. Having been a driver on the Milan shuttles for so long I know all the hotels well, but this has to be the cream of the crop. They have a first class spa, restaurant, meeting rooms and a pool. The rooms are also what you’d expect from five star luxury, with a variety of suites to suit your personal choice and all the usual refinements.

Scenery: Lake Como

While not in the city itself, you can get a train, taxi or one of several shuttles from Milan to the area. Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and is the backdrop for some of the best spas, short break hotels and lake cruises in Italy. Crowned by the thrusting mountains, the smooth, deep blue lake water is breathtaking, and shows off natural luxury at its greatest.

Entertainment: La Scala

La Scala – or Teatro alla Scala to give it its full name – is one of the world’s most famous opera houses. It has played host to hundreds of famous productions and directors, including Daniel Barenboim and Toscanini. Inaugurated on 3 August 1778, the theatre has weathered World War Two bombings and rough renovations, and remains a meeting place for the wealthy and influential in Milan. Seeing an opera or recital there in the luxury boxes is magical, and the height of Milanese entertainment and culture.

Shopping: Via Montenapoleone

One of the most common things people on Milan airport transfers ask me is “Where’s the best shopping area?” Milan is known for its fashion boutiques and high end shops, and my answer is always the same. For luxury shopping, you have to go to the Milan fashion district, and specifically to the Via Montenapoleone. With boutiques representing Armani, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada and more, this is the epitome of stylish, luxury Milan.

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Tuscany Beach Holiday Destinations

TuscanyA globetrotters itinerary is never complete without a visit to Tuscany. Tuscany beach holidays are memorable for any sea lover. The clean beaches which are filled with golden sand and spectacular views, makes Tuscany coastal areas, a splendid vacation destination. Tuscany beach holidays are filled with fishing, water sports, sun bathing, etc.

Excellent marine and coastal facilities in Tuscany are other factors that attract visitors to the place. The archipelago of Tuscany offers picturesque views to the tourists, who are overwhelmed by its beauty. Tuscany is also a perfect destination for exploration, with its uneven terrains, exotic villages and ancient rocks.

The primary destination for many tourists in their Tuscany beach holidays is the beautiful coastline of Versilia. Versilia is famous for the sandy beaches and mountains that are the reasons for the pleasant weather, in the region. It is also popular for the unlimited fun it offers and the exciting night life of the area. The place became popular for being a much frequented spot of the artists like Lorenzo Viani, Galileo Chini, etc.

If  Versilia is a prominent destination, in the Tuscany beach holidays of people, they get to visit many tourist spots, in the region. The elegantly built lounges and palaces in Viareggio; Pietrsanta, the sculptors destination; Camaiore, an opulent place with monuments and memories; the antique villas of the tiny villages, etc are few tourist spots that are situated in Versilia.
Versilia in Tuscany is hailed as Apuan Riviera pearl. A well- developed and modernized network of rail roads and roads and the frequent bus and coach services, makes this place accessible to any outsider.Tuscany
Forte Dei Marmi is a fashionable resort in Versilia. This holiday home has attracted artists, poets, painters, writers and tourists with its pine forests and scenic view of beautiful beaches, since its establishment. Viareggio harbour in the Versilian coastline is yet another must see sight.

Tuscany beach holidays are the time to enjoy among the boundless beaches and sea. From dawn to dusk, tourists can enjoy the delights of the beach, during a holiday season, with a visit to Tuscany. Being with the endless beaches in Tuscany and unwinding one self can be a delightful experience.

Another highlight of Tuscany beach holidays is the excellent cuisine of the region. The Viareggian fish dishes and the traditional delectable  Tuscan cuisine make the visits to Tuscany even more memorable. A traditionally prepared pizza or a mouth-watering spaghetti allo scoglio are must-taste items in any Tuscan menu. Tuscan wines like the Montecarlo white wine and the classic Chianti reds are much sought after drinks in Tuscany.
The nightlife in Tuscany is another prominent attraction of the region. Tuscany beach holidays are incomplete without quiet strolls, along the promenade or visits to the thrilling Versilian discos. Hordes of people visit Versilia in July and August for the Puccini Festival.
Located in the shade of the Apuan Alps, Versilia, is a sandy coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The luxuriant hills and pine woods of the region further embellish the beauty of Versilia, making it a nature lovers paradise. With all the facilities and captivating natural and man-made attractions, Versilia is an exciting place to visit, during Tuscany beach holidays!

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